Alright. This has probably been brought up before. I didn't want to search through the hundreds of matches for 'snow' however.

I just got my camaro in May. I have no idea how this car will drive in the winter. We usually have several snow storms a year here on Long Island NY. I had a couple questions.

1) I've seen random information in places saying Camaros are just terrible in snow. To what extent? I mean, can I drive this thing at the speed limit and not spin out and die?

2) What can I do to improve traction?

3) What's the deal with Snow Tires? Are they worth buying? How much are they compared to regular tires, and what is the difference?

Sorry for these newbie questions. I'm only 19 and I just started getting into cars when I got the Camaro (Hard to love cars when you're driving a grandma-mobile when you're 17, you know?). Also sorry if anyone gets bothered by these probably common questions.

If someone could answer these questions, I would be very appreciative. Thanks guys.

 

it snows here once in a while in the winter and ive never really had a problem with losing traction and then dying. just don't gun it. I didn't put any chains on it but i did have some studded tires, which im sure help.

Just don't be an idiot in the snow, and remember your in a rear wheel drive in the sonw, and its a camaro.

 

I dont know if all cars come with this, but my camaro has a Second gear start on it which helps out a lot, because it takes away a lot of the power so you dont spin.

 

Yeah, I got that. What a relief. I would burn out like crazy in the rain easily without it.

 

Just an FYI, if you do not have an LSD, and you need traction you can pull the e-brake up until it just grabs and start out that way. The brake equalizes the resistance on both wheels and lets you drive off.

 

being in Denver I get alot of snow. The camaro isnt that bad but it isnt good. I have went through 3 air damns from hitting blocks of ice on the highway that the 18wheelers leave for you. Withthe wider z rated tires I have it is generally a nightmare. But I have driven in the snow my entire life so I get by. Keep plentt of space between you and anyone else and short shift ever gear to keep the backend from kicking to the passenger side. Every now and then it gets really really icy and I have to climb on onramps. SO just shove her in second and run about 3000 rpms and let her dig her way to the top. Snow tires are worth it if you have to drive in snow more than 5-6 times. My blizzaks work great and are mounted on a spare set of wheels. 5 minutes on and off.

 

i drove mine last winter and i wish i didnt. its hard on the car in the extreme temps and very worse if your state/prov uses salt. salt ate some big paint and metal on my car. my rocker panels went from the hole the size of a quarter to one the size of my shoe in one winter. snow tires are good, i wish i could get studeed tires in ontario, im from nova scotia and they are legal there. studs help alot. id get stuck in my apartments parking spot every morning they plowed after a snow. would have to rock the car reverse and drvie or floor it till she digs into pavement not good for the car. i also tapped a pole on the front and had to spend 500$ bending and parts on that because the roads were slippery. if i were you id buy a 500$ beater car or truck with a block heater

 

I drove mine last winter. It wasn't real fun, thats for sure. Plus I hated having to get it full of salt, which is hell on any car. Take it slow, and be EASY on the gas and brakes. Thats the main things, no sudden speed changes, cuz thats what breaks the back end loose.

If you can, buy a beater. I picked up a '93 Escort GT this summer. Now most of my driving miles go on that car, and it will be the winter car also.

Good luck!

 

I am in this situation too. I am in Massachusetts so alot of snow and salt. I bought it last March and hit ice once and almost died. I am so scared to drive in the snow, but I am moving to VA in a year so hopefully my car will make it.

 

if snow is predicted I try to leave it at home, it is by far the worst RWD vehicle I have ever driven in the winter.
If I have to drive it this winter I am definately puting weight in the rear.

 

IMO, 4 dedicated snow tires are very important. The good ones have special tread patterns and special rubber. Sticks to snow better and doesn't get as hard as regular tires in cold weather. Blizzaks were the first, now pretty much everybody has some.

www.tirerack.com has a lot of useful info.

 

I live in Chicago so I see my share of snow every year. I had two V6 firebirds and two V6 camaros as my daily drivers over the last decade and never had a problem or an accident in the snow.

Just drive slow when you got a lot on the roads. It sucks getting passed by cavaliers and escorts but hey I always made it home without incident. I never had snow tires either. Just be careful and you should be ok in the snow.

 

if you need too and have 4 snow tires and a bit a wieght it wont really be a problem also if you do this get like p225/60/16's since they are skinier and cut through it better

however i had to do it last year and i wont do it agian it dont take much to loose it i hear of a few ppl every year on the boards loosing it in the winter

also its just not good for the car another reason not to do it

 

i drove mine with a 5 speed, an open diff, and kumho 712s in a storm consisting of solid ice. the roads had 3 inches of ice packed on them. i didn't spin out or slide off into a ditch. i did pass a couple of 4X4s that were stuck though. just don't drive like an idiot.

recommendations: get an LSD. it works great to improve traction. mine made a huge difference in the rain. have tires with good tread. keep a bag of something heavy around. when it iced up, i put a 40 lb. bag of dog food in the back to help me get traction.

 

My advice... don't drive it in the snow. Even with snow tires traction is impossible. So not only will you have tons of problems starting from a stop, but you'll be sliding of the road all the time. At one point I even had over 200lbs of sand in the back and it still sucked.